From: WillNich@aol.com
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 00:37:27 EDT
Subject: Lexington Fairness Amendment Passes 12-3
FLASH from The Letter - Kentucky's gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender
newspaper
Lexington, KY (July 8). After a campaign and city-wide debate that lasted
only eighteen days, the Urban/County Government Council in Lexington,
Kentucky voted 12-3 this evening to approve an amendment to its human rights
ordinance that prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public
accommodations, real estate transfers, and credit on the basis of sexual
orientation and sexual identity.
Last month, the amendment received early support from the mayor and several
councilpersons. Vice Mayor Isabel Yates sponsored the proposal when it was
brought before the local Human Rights Commission, and after it was introduced
it was supported by editorials in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
During the evening's debate, several councilpersons voting in favor of the
ordinance pointed out their own experiences with discrimination in part as
reasons for their support of the measure.
Opponents' main concern was the swiftness with which the ordinance was
introduced and the process involved in getting it passed. They were
particularly concerned that the language was too broad and offered four
amendments to narrow the focus. Main casualty was a section covering gender
identity which, as originally written, would have been among the most liberal
in the country. It was narrowed in tonight's debate to cover only those who
have undergone sex reassignment surgery. A religious exemption section was
also strengthened.
Mayor Pam Miller is expected to sign it into law quickly.
The Lexington ordinance is the most comprehensive in Kentucky. Louisville's
ordinance, passed in January, covers employment only. Louisville proposals
covering housing and public accommodations remain in committee. Meanwhile,
Jefferson County--the jurisdiction outside of Louisville city limits--is
expected to take up some sort of proposal in August. Henderson, a small city
in western Kentucky, will be considering its own version probably in early
fall.
END